HomeTechTellhttp://www.technologytell.com/hometech
HomeTechtell provides interesting, up-to-date news about home cinema, home automation, green home tech, and home entertainment in general.Mon, 29 Jun 2015 13:24:02 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.2HomeTechtell provides interesting, up-to-date news about home cinema, home automation, green home tech, and home entertainment in general.HomeTechTellnoHomeTechtell provides interesting, up-to-date news about home cinema, home automation, green home tech, and home entertainment in general.HomeTechTellhttp://www.technologytell.com/hometech/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpghttp://www.technologytell.com/hometech
Rekindle couch & TV romances with Logitech’s latest K400 Plus keyboardhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/HDh_t1fQyQc/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108155/rekindle-couch-tv-romances-logitechs-latest-k400-plus-keyboard/#commentsMon, 29 Jun 2015 13:24:02 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108155
Tablets make for some fantastic entertainment consumption devices with few limits for location. You can almost think of it as instant gratification, if you consider the widespread internet
connectivity and plethora of media streaming sources available. But despite the fun and convenience, tablets can’t give you full immersion.

Maybe you have to hold it. Maybe the battery is running low. Maybe the screen isn’t bright enough, or…

Voombox has offered up plenty of interesting entries in the speaker category, and one more has come our way. Our friends at Voombox sent out a Voombox Ongo for us to review, and this little dynamo
will pack quite a bit of performance in an unusually small package.

Design

The Voombox Ongo is designed to be a speaker on the go, as evidenced by the fact that it runs from a battery, and comes with a small clip that screws into the base of the unit. The clip can then be
attached to a bicycle, and taken on the road from there. An included USB cable allows the device to be readily charged from a variety of sources, and a 3.5 mm jack with accompanying cable means
that the speaker can be used with most anything…

There’s something to be said for being able to take a party where ever you go–particularly with summer coming on in earnest–and parties tend to need certain basic things. Music is one of these. A
killer light show, meanwhile, is less useful but still welcome. 808 sent out an NRGGLO speaker for us to review, and though it’s a simple device, it will have a surprisingly large number of use
cases to throw in.

Design

The 808 NRGGLO speaker possesses roughly the same dimensions as a can of Red Bull, with a speaker grate on top, and directly beneath that, a ring of blue lights. Near the bottom of the speaker is a
power button–which also serves as a button to engage the Bluetooth…

]]>http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108162/technologytell-review-808-nrgglo-speaker/feed/0http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108162/technologytell-review-808-nrgglo-speaker/How comfortable would you be using a fingerprint-only smart lock?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/yAOqZAEU52U/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108150/comfortable-using-fingerprint-smart-lock/#commentsTue, 09 Jun 2015 14:06:58 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108150
Anyone who has spent some time learning the skill of picking locks understands that a
home’s locked doors are merely an illusion of security. Sufficient skills and/or the right tools is all it takes to gain entry through tumblers, sometimes in just mere minutes. I know I’ve been
able to pick both locks on my front door in under 60 seconds.

Home security takes up a sizeable slice of the ‘smarthome pie’ with its array of sensors, motion detectors, monitoring cameras, and
alarms. For the most part, these devices are…

]]>http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108150/comfortable-using-fingerprint-smart-lock/feed/0http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108150/comfortable-using-fingerprint-smart-lock/TechnologyTell Review: ARCHT One Wireless Audio Systemhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/s7i_UJqfs8c/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108129/technologytell-review-archt-one-wireless-audio-system/#commentsFri, 05 Jun 2015 19:51:46 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108129
The ARCHT One speaker was a huge hit on Kickstarter, and
they drew more attention at CES 2015 earlier this year. Units are shipping out to eager campaign backers, and the company has made this speaker openly available to order. Curious about this unique
tower of sound and if it’s the right fit for you? Read on!

Design & Connectivity

Not much comes in the box with the ARCHT One wireless audio system. It’s just the speaker, a cloth bag, a power cable, and a booklet.
There’s no included audio cable, so you’ll have to dig up one of your own if you’re interesting in connecting through that.

The ARCHT One looks like munition that could be dropped from an aircraft, stylized with a saucer up toward the top. Despite having lightweight plastic for an exterior, the ARCHT One has some heft
to it. You can certainly feel the heavy speaker goodness on the inside. The tip of the speaker houses the full-range driver that fires down toward the touch-capacitive disc. And then the subwoofer
is right underneath, firing up toward the bottom of that same disc. Rounding it all out is the passive bass radiator at the very bottom of the speaker, also firing down. The sizes for each of these
parts are pretty respectable.

The shape is kind of nice, though the finish too shiny for my tastes.

Now that I’ve had the chance to sit and stare at the ARCHT One, I’m rather disappointed in the choice of glossy plastic for the body. This is a $600 speaker that looks half its worth all because of
the way gloss successfully cheapens appearances. Don’t get me wrong – I completely understand that the bulk of the purchase cost goes toward the hardware and electronics.

But I think it’s a fair poke to the ribs, considering how the company touts the ARCHT One as “a premium audio system that revolutionizes how sound is seen and heard.” That’s quoted directly
from the home page on their website. And it’s not like I’m demanding wood, leather, and brushed aluminum, although those are some pretty fine
(premium) materials to use for potential future models (hint hint). But a satin finish would have gone further for appearances.

But points are given to ARCHT Audio for choosing thick, rubber feet to elevate the speaker provide it a stable base. You’ll have to deliver a serious elbow to the ARCHT One in order to topple it
over. Keep it out of reach from kids; mine are curious and want to stick their fingers in the openings to touch the “guts”, which is just one ‘oops’ away from tipping a speaker over

Although the ARCHT One appears symmetrical, there is indeed a ‘front’ and ‘rear’. The ports and buttons are at the rear, as is the input select marking on the touch disc. LED indicators showing the
current input are in front, at the bottom. The play/pause marking on the touch disc also faces front. If you’ve used practically any modern audio or mobile device, all of these buttons and ports
should be self-explanatory. The rear buttons activate WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity (only when currently selected), and the ports are for input power (cable), USB to charge out (also audio for
iOS devices), and auxiliary for a cabled audio connection. That’s four – FOUR! – ways to connect and play audio, which is very cool and useful.

Bottom rear packs buttons, ports.

I’m on the fence about how the touch-sensitive disc manages volume, track, and input control. I like the actual disc and the way it works to flow audio out. But it’s the touch-sensitive bit that
loses me. You have to press each marking dead on to activate that ‘button’ (and doing it correctly also rewards with a beep). This is fantastic when there is ample light. Not so much in the dark or
low-light conditions. And there’s nothing you can feel for either, no markings, and definitely nothing for blind people.

If the ARCHT One happens to lose power (e.g. accidentally unplugged, power outage, etc), you need to wait almost a minute for the touch controls to be responsive. Not a big deal for anyone
connecting to this speaker via WiFi. It’s unclear if the whole speaker needs to initialize, or just the touch-sensitive disc. Either way, you’ll have to wait for Bluetooth or auxiliary
connectivity, especially since the ARCHT One…

]]>http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108129/technologytell-review-archt-one-wireless-audio-system/feed/0http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108129/technologytell-review-archt-one-wireless-audio-system/Free software upgrades Harmony products with smart home controlhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/RM8OaD-pjXY/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108122/free-software-upgrades-harmony-products-smart-home-control/#commentsMon, 01 Jun 2015 17:50:31 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108122
Free? Upgrade? You heard correctly, but only Logitech Harmony owners will gain this benefit. The company has just announced that a few of its most popular
hub-compatible products are getting a boost with smart home control capabilities.

It’s a smart move that will surely benefit consumers as well as Logitech. With the vast and growing number of…

]]>http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108122/free-software-upgrades-harmony-products-smart-home-control/feed/0http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108122/free-software-upgrades-harmony-products-smart-home-control/Smart home no longer a choice between ultra-expensive and cheap DIY (Post sponsored by URC)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/Oa7EAEnxR-w/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108125/smart-home-no-longer-a-choice-between-ultra-expensive-and-cheap-diy-post-sponsored-by-urc/#commentsMon, 01 Jun 2015 13:12:42 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108125more »]]>
Great news: It’s more affordable than ever to automate your home, while taking all the guesswork and annoyance out of setting it up.

It wasn’t always this way. For most of its existence, home automation has been the domain of both the ultra-wealthy and the DIY enthusiast. The ultra-wealthy regularly have, for decades, paid five
figures or more to have professionals program and install automation systems in their upscale homes. For those with that kind of disposable income, the professional custom integrator has and will
continue to be like a personal technology concierge. But the cost of entry to access such life-changing services had been too high for the average person.

Meanwhile, many people joining the less expensive DIY class could use a professional’s assistance to get the most out of their cobbled-together systems. DIY home automation products have a spotty
record at best. And emerging home automation services from service providers like Comcast and others lack the functionality or performance you’d like to see out of a true home automation system.

But now you can get a professionally installed “DIFM” (Do it For Me) home automation system for under $999. It’s an exciting trend in the home
automation space: professionally installed systems from brands that have been working at automation…

]]>http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108125/smart-home-no-longer-a-choice-between-ultra-expensive-and-cheap-diy-post-sponsored-by-urc/feed/0http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108125/smart-home-no-longer-a-choice-between-ultra-expensive-and-cheap-diy-post-sponsored-by-urc/TechnologyTell Review: Flir FX wireless HD video camerahttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/ldeIduamEUU/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108079/technologytell-review-flir-fx-wireless-hd-video-camera/#commentsThu, 21 May 2015 16:23:02 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108079more »]]>
This is Flir’s first true consumer product. And considering the quality of things Flir, the expectations are running a little high. Did they stick the landing, or is this first foray a flub? Read
on and find out!

Design & Installation

The Flir FX WiFi 1080p HD video monitoring security camera shows that much thought went into
the overall design. The camera part, which is in the shape of a giant Starburst with slightly-rounded corners, detaches from the base. Part of Flir’s plan with the Flir FX revolves around providing
additional accessories to enable the camera to do more outside of the home. But more on that later.

Extra adapters – very thoughtful

Turning the Flir FX camera on requires a single press; you need to press-hold to turn it off, which is good against accidental bumps. On the top is a manual record button which lights up when
active. And other than the micro USB charge port and microSD card slot on the side, there isn’t much else to poke at. Although there are no vents, the Flir FX camera doesn’t run hot. Even when
you’ve left it to manually record video.

The rear of the camera has LED indicators for network and cloud connectivity. Both a speaker and microphone are built in, hidden under small holes on the front face. What isn’t so evident at first
is that both the Flir FX camera and its base pack internal batteries. The camera can operate for up to 2 hours itself, and the base adds on another 2 hours. That’s 4 hours of completely uncabled
fun! This is the standout feature, since most home monitoring cameras turn off as soon as cables unplug.

The basic camera itself is small

As intended, this also means you can take the Flir FX camera with you and manually record video at 1080p. A microSD card comes included, and all manually-recorded video gets stored on there.
Versatile? I think so. The lens covers a wide-angle 160 degree field of view, and it does so without that ‘fishbowl’ warping around the edges.

In addition to sending push notifications for motion and/or sound triggers, the Flir FX can monitor temperature and humidity. Those sensors are packed into the base, which lets this camera do
triple & quadruple duty for keeping sentinel over the home. Keep in mind that these sensors are in the base, active only while the camera unit is attached. Other base attachments (separate
accessories) will provide different sensors and/or abilities.

The package contains everything needed – camera, base, cable, wall mount, – including some non-US adapters for the wall charger. Very nice. In terms of installation and set up, once just needs to
download the Flir FX app and follow the instructions. It’s a very quick and easy process.

Flir FX App (Android)

For being a new app, the Flir FX is pretty good. Sure, there are many elements that can use some improvement, but it’s not as rough around the edges as one might expect. Mostly. Aside from a few
snags, the Flir FX app delivers a useful experience. It has enough configuration options to make most people happy. But a little reorganization, feature improvements, and streamlining wouldn’t
hurt. But these are all things the app team is aware of and working on.

These let you charge and record on the go

You can skip any paper instructions (not much use included anyway) since the Flir FX app guides you through the installation and setup process. It’s made easy with the QR code at the bottom of the
indoor camera stand (there is a manual option, too).

Name it, set a sharing password, point it to your home network (and provide that password), and then you’re all set up for video streaming. What’s missing any option or mention is security and
encryption; it’s a critical area that all these connected devices are going to have to address.

The app’s landing page shows all of the connected Flir FX cameras; you can have more than one. Each camera shows a still image of recently-live footage along with the camera name, battery level,
and connection status (on/off and if it’s mobile or powered via cable). There is also a drop-down menu in the top right corner that lets you jump directly to Rapid Recap, video recordings, and
the toggle for notifications. That last one is important, because it can be easily missed. It’s also just a toggle, too, and does not provide choice of SMS, push notifications, or email or
such (at least for now).

Once you click a camera, you’re presented with a live feed and options to play with. The ‘actions’ button below leads you to Rapid Recap, two-way communication, sending/saving a snapshot, and
changing settings. The ‘recording’ button simply toggles motion and/or sound recording. You have to go into the actual settings to change the sensitivity levels.

Detachable base charges separately, too

A single tap on the video feed pops up the current humidity and temperature levels. It’s not that accurate, with the humidity being off by 2-3 percent and temperature off by 4-9 degrees F (usually
on the warmer side of ambient). I’m assuming the camera’s heat is influencing the readings.

Above the live feed video is an icon to access recordings and another to access settings. All of these clickable options disappear when you orient your mobile device into landscape mode for better
viewing. Hopefully an update to the app provides interaction while…

]]>http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108079/technologytell-review-flir-fx-wireless-hd-video-camera/feed/0http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108079/technologytell-review-flir-fx-wireless-hd-video-camera/Want a smarter, more powerful smarthome? Go for Oomi.http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/KKjUfJkRYF0/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108070/want-smarter-powerful-smarthome-go-oomi/#commentsWed, 20 May 2015 18:20:12 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108070more »]]>
These days, it seems that every company has already thrown their hat into the smarthome, IoT/IoE ring. If you want wireless lights or wireless sockets or home alarm/monitoring systems, there’s
plenty enough choice to go around. But that in itself ends up being a problem.

If you’re like me, then you have at least half a dozen apps from half a dozen different manufacturers. And while the hardware is fairly matched all across the board, there is a significant
difference in quality and ease-of-use of software apps and user interfaces. Let’s just say that ‘fast’, ‘simple’, and ‘reliable’ vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

]]>http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108070/want-smarter-powerful-smarthome-go-oomi/feed/3http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108070/want-smarter-powerful-smarthome-go-oomi/TiVo in process of resurrecting the spirit of failed Aereohttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/hometechtell/~3/9_6PCL8sqho/
http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/108076/tivo-process-resurrecting-spirit-failed-aereo/#commentsWed, 20 May 2015 17:19:35 +0000http://www.technologytell.com/hometech/?p=108076more »]]>
Just a couple months ago, TiVo had completed an auction purchase of Aereo’s assets. And if you recall, Aereo was the exciting new service whose business model ultimately failed against the legal
system. Who wouldn’t like a cloud DVR that records OTA signals and makes it available to subscribers? Well, aside from TV networks, that more »